2.4 Million Magnetic Toys Recalled

March 17, 2008 -- MEGA Brands America Inc. of Livingston, N.J. today recalled about 2.4 million of its magnetic toys because magnets in the toys may come loose, posing a health risk to kids.

The voluntary recall includes about 1.3 million MagnaMan magnetic action figures and about 1.1 million Magtastik and Magnetix Jr. preschool magnetic toys.

Young kids may swallow or inhale the magnets, and if they swallow more than one magnet, those magnets can attract each other and tear or block the digestive system

That risk can be fatal. But no deaths linked to these recalled products have been reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The CPSC says to take the recalled toys away from kids immediately and return them to MEGA Brands for a free replacement toy. Reach MEGA Brands by phone at 800-779-7122 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, or anytime on the company's web site.

The toys were sold nationwide from January 2005 through December 2007 for $10 to $40.

MagnaMan Toy Recall

Here are the names, colors, and model numbers of the recalled MagnaMan magnetic action figures:

• Alien (green, model #28170)
• Robotor (red, model #28171)
• Flame (orange, model #28172)
• Gigantor (blue, model #28173)
• Toyoto the Samurai (purple, model #28164)
• Sir Lancelot the Knight (gray, model #28165)
• Eric the Viking (blue, model #28166)
• Brutus the Gladiator (yellow, model # 28167)

The recall also includes these MagnaMan products and model numbers (no colors noted by the CPSC):

• Robot Assortment (model #28198)
• Vac Metal (model #28327)
• 4-Pack (model #28175)
• 3-Pack (model #28393)
• 2-Pack (model #28392)
• Vac Metal Assortment (model #28327)
• Assortment (model #28254 or 28199)

The model number is located on the front of the toys' packaging. The toys are figures that have body parts that attach with magnets. They come in either a "futuristic warrior" or "ancient warrior" theme.

MEGA Brands and the CPSC have gotten 25 reports of magnets coming loose from the figures, and no reports of injuries.

Magtastik, Magnetix Jr. Recall

Here are the names and product numbers of the recalled Magtastic and Magnetix Jr. preschool magnetic toys. The toy animals, vehicles, and building sets have small, flexible parts embedded with magnets that connect to larger, colored metal balls.

• Magtastik Starter Set (model #427)
• Magtastik Deluxe Set (model #428)
• Primary (model #429)
• Primary Starter (model #431)
• Car (model #434)
• Helicopter (model #435)
• Fun Pack (model #448)
• Jumbo 24 Piece Bag (model #456)
• Round Bag (model #461)
• 12 Piece Mag Bag (model #462)
• Target Bucket (model #466)
• Easter Pack (model #469)

MEGA Brands and the CPSC have gotten 19 reports of magnets coming loose from these products, including one report of a 3-year-old boy who got medical treatment to remove a magnet from his nose and one report of an 18-month-old boy with a magnet in his mouth, which wasn't swallowed.